Fluency

Oh how I wanted to like this book. A first contact novel, supposedly hard SF (it's <strong>not</strong>), with a linguist as the protagonist. It's getting buzz and acclaim everywhere and a huge number of 5-star reviews. And yes, it has a gorgeous cover.<br /><br />After reading it (50 pages in, I already knew I wasn't going to like it; at 100 pages, I had to force myself to keep going), all I can say to those 5-star reviewers is "Are you freaking kidding me? <em>This</em> is what you consider great science fiction?"<br /><br />First of all, the writing is just not good. This was a self-published novel, and as much of a cliche as it is to say this - it shows.<br /><br /><blockquote><br />Her heart galloped in her chest. In minutes she’d be stepping up to do her thing with no idea whatsoever of precisely what or whom she’d be facing. Dr. Jane Holloway would be Earth’s ambassador. Why her? Because some accident of birth, some odd mutant gene, some quirk of brain chemistry, gave her the ability to learn new languages as easily as she breathed. Did that mean anything once she’d left the safe embrace of planet Earth? She was about to find out.<br /><br />She noticed the fingers of one hand trembling and gripped the armrests with determined ferocity. She’d maintained her dignity this long—she wasn’t about to let go of it now.<br /><br />The unending, stifling journey was over. The nightmare of sameness, of maddening confinement, of desperate loneliness and unrelenting, forced togetherness, done. They’d finally climb out of this fragile, aluminum/lithium-alloy sardine-can that had kept them safe from the vacuum of space for ten months. They’d actually made it there alive.<br /><br />The capsule vibrated violently. Jane glanced at Bergen for reassurance. His hand hovered at the clip that would free him from his harness and he grinned wolfishly through his ragged, blond beard. He was the closest she could come to calling a friend on this journey—and that label seemed a bit of a stretch.<br /><br />The crew thrummed with the tension of tightly controlled excitement. It was a far healthier kind of tension than what had often prevailed over the last ten months. There’d been many a heated argument over issues as immaterial as who was eating disproportionately more of the chocolate before it all suddenly disappeared.<br /></blockquote><br /><br />After being hit with cliche after cliche (hearts galloping in chests, trembling fingers) and adverbs and adjectives swarming every sentence, I found myself thinking "fan fiction." This reads like fan fiction. And in fact, the author's other major work appears to be a Stargate fan fiction novel.<br /><br />Problem two is that the characters behave like idiots, and frequently in highly unrealistic and unprofessional ways, just because the author wants to write something clever or amusing.<br /><br />Dr. Jane Holloway is a character right out of a teenager's fan fiction story. Thanks to "some accident of birth, some odd mutant gene, some quirk of brain chemistry" she can "learn new languages as easily as she breathes." This makes her of interest to NASA, which is about to launch a mission to Mars. Except, it turns out, the mission isn't really to Mars - it's to a big alien spaceship sitting in the asteroid belt, which they've known about since the 1960s, but just now have the technology to go investigate. They figure Dr. Holloway might help them talk to the aliens.<br /><br />Who have not responded to any radio signals and whose ship has done nothing for the last 50 years. So why exactly do they think there are even aliens to talk to?<br /><br />Not content to make Dr. Holloway some sort of super-linguist, she also turns out to have a backstory involving her parents' tragic death in Australia, and Dr. Holloway then having an adventure in the Amazon in which she singlehandedly saved her team from hostile tribesmen while suffering from malaria <b> <i>okay are you fucking kidding me?!</i> </b><br /><br /><blockquote><br />That wasn’t the reaction he expected. “You’re wrong. I had a chance to look over the other files. You’re the only person for this job. You’re the only one with the kind of stamina, talent, and sheer guts it will take to do this.”<br /><br />Her expression was skeptical. “I’m sure it looks like that on paper—”<br /><br />He let his frustration bleed through. “Look, they’ve spent months looking at linguists—we’ve been working with plenty of linguists already, on another, similar project—and none of them can match your level of natural ability and experience. Come on! You’re a goddamn living legend in your field—and you’re what? 35? Do you know what we’ve been calling you at NASA? We call you Indiana Jane.”<br /><br />The smile snuck back, just for a second.<br /><br />“Well, ok—I call you that—but it’s fucking true.”<br /><br />She snorted softly and looked away.<br /><br />He rolled his eyes. They’d warned him not to curse. “Sorry. You were right when you guessed I don’t spend much time around women.”<br /></blockquote><br /><br />Dr. Alan Bergen, the scientist/astronaut who "doesn't spend much time around women," is this romance/sci-fi novel's safely tameable semi-alpha male, informing us in the above passage just how awesome "Indiana Jane" Holloway is.<br /><br />So of course they go on the mission, and find that there is alien intelligence on board the big unmoving ship.<br /><br />There was some serviceable sci-fi in this novel, as when Jane makes contact with the surviving "crew," and starts to learn about its mission. There are perils aboard the ship, though most of the action is forced by arbitrary authorial fiat or by characters behaving like idiots.<br /><br />I mean, how likely is it they'd send a first contact team, aboard a thin metal can surrounded by vacuum, to go meet an advanced alien race carrying 9mm pistols? Really? I guess about as likely as the U.S. Air Force deciding that the thing to do with a crashed alien space ship is to start vivisecting the aliens alive. Because no one in the Air Force has ever read a science fiction novel or thought through the ramifications, I guess.<br /><br />I also found it amusing that the Indian-American scientist has to tell Jane that she's not familiar with Hansel and Gretel because she wasn't raised on Western fairy tales, but then she's the one who explains to a NASA astronaut what "Terran" means.<br /><br />There's a really purple sex scene, a lot of overwritten dialog with the alien, an unconvincing romance mashed with Dr. Halloway becoming ever more awesome, and finally a To Be Continued. Because they don't even get off the damn ship by the end of the book.<br /><br />I'd have forgiven the bad writing if the story was great, and I'd have forgiven a story that stretches my suspension of disbelief if the writing was great. But it's amateurish writing and a story with huge plot holes and frequent unbelievable character actions. I didn't quite <em>hate</em> this book, but I did not like it, and it was bad. Will not be reading the sequel.<br /><br />Also, the author knows jack about linguistics. Googling "monogenesis" and "polygenesis" is not research.

<br />I bought this so fast after reading an <a href="http://thisblogisaploy.blogspot.com/2014/12/interview-with-sff-author-jennifer.html" rel="nofollow noopener">interview</a> where author responded to question about romantic subplot in her book like this:<br /><br /><br /><i>"I don’t understand the controversy here. Nearly every major motion picture and television show, SF or not, contains romantic elements. People in all walks of life become attracted to each other, enamored of each other, all the freaking time…um…daily.<br /><br />It’s a pretty major element of the human condition. Throughout history, so much of our art—poetry, paintings, music, has been devoted to exploring, understanding and celebrating attraction, lust, and love. CONNECTING with another human being, on a deep and spiritual level, loving that person, body and soul, is something nearly every human craves. Why, then, is it problematic in this particular genre?<br /><br />I think a better question is this: why does most SF deny the existence of this natural aspect of human interaction? Or: Why is sex used in some SF as a commodity instead of as a connection? Or: Why is rape trivialized so much in fiction? Or: Why does a romantic subplot make a book “girly” and unworthy?<br /><br />The answers to all of these questions lie in patriarchy, acculturation, entitlement, and hubris. I refuse to kowtow to these elements. Carol Shields said, “Write the book you want to read, the one you cannot find.” That’s all I did. I’ll learn all I can from criticism of my work, but this is one area where I will not bend.<br /><br />*lifts the mighty hammer of feminism and hoists it to my back*"</i>

I may be taking a bit of a different view on just who is the main character of this tale.<br /><br />I'm sure most people will latch on to the leading female for her guts or supposedly for her language abilities which get nullified by the oncoming story. At least I agree that one complaint is valid against this tale: I expected a first contact story with an actual deduction of language and communication. Isn't it right in the title? <br /><br />Alas, no. We get a high-tech pill solution, but I got over that really quickly because the tale was taking me some very interesting places.<br /><br />Dreams, old civilizations, a wealth of technology at your fingertips, space-travel... even becoming a visceral part of a spaceship. That stuff is awesome, and I dug it, man. :)<br /><br />So other than her and her slow-burn romantic interest who she saves on occasion, then just WHO IS THE MAIN CHARACTER?<br /><br />It's the Alien Navigator. :) He's got a real personality on him. He's behind everything. Utterly everything. I can't help but be fascinated and impressed at the nature and scope of his lies and how willing he is to DO WHATEVER IS NECESSARY to achieve his goals. :) He really did have to get very creative, and I think I feel closest to him out of all the characters. :) He's the real star of the show. :)<br /><br />Maybe it's just me! :) But I really enjoyed the hell out of my squiddy friend.

This book has it all! Clumsy writing! Bad science! Weak character development! Dumb, over-used cliches! If you're hungry for a book that un-ironically uses the Roswell/Area 51 incident as "backstory" and looks like it was never proof-read, this is for you!<br /><br />Seriously though don't read this book. The writing is TERRIBLE, both technically and stylistically. And the story and details are deeply dumb--aliens using Linnean taxonomy, a "deep genetic language" that is mostly half-assed Latin, NASA scientists who are unbelievably laughable.<br /><br />Steer clear. There's nothing interesting or new here.

This is a toughie for me because this book has things I like. I love the idea of modern astronauts exploring an alien spacecraft way out in the solar system. Thats cool beans.<br /><br />However the exploration itself turns out to be rather...uneventful? The ship is abandoned so its not like there's any intelligent aliens to interact with aside from the navigator alien who seizes the protagonist in a telepathic mind grip the instant she steps on board.<br /><br />Theres two problems the crew has to face, neither of which they can solve and both of which they essentially fall prey to. First, is some species of space pest which is what eventually drives them off the ship. The second is some nanite disease which they can do nothing about.<br /><br />From the perspective of the other crew members, exclusing the protagonist and her love interest, this was probably the most boring trip to a derelict alien spacecraft ever since literally all of the cool interactions and events take place within the mind of Jane.<br /><br />All they do is stand around looking stupidly at the metal walls until some alien bugs try to kill them, at which point they run away.<br /><br />Another big problem I had with the book was the author's opinion on humanity. Apparently it is within our nature to destroy anything we come across? An alien shuttle crash lands on Earth. The result? Of course we kill all of them and dissect them. Of course we are evil evil evil and also mind numbingly stupid beyond description. Oh except for Jane who is above all that for some reason.<br /><br />And of course one of these 'shoot now dissect later' types is the commander of the mission and of course he abandons logic in the middle of the mission because he got spooked.<br /><br />Its just a tad stereotypical. Not much unexpected happened really.<br /><br />But my biggest complaint was the ending, or in this case the total lack thereof. Nothing is resolved. The mission is not concluded. The fate of the crew is not decided. We learn nothing more about galactic background plot. Not even the romance aspect of the book is resolved. The book just terminates in an extremely jarring manner, in a way that I assume is meant to indicate that readers should await the sequel to achieve any semblance of resolution in this story.<br /><br />Its OK to have a cliffhanger in preparation for a sequel. But to resolve nothing and end the book in so awkward a way is really not OK.

This was an entertaining first contact novel. Sure, there are a great deal of first contact novels, but this had enough of a different take to feel fresh. I enjoyed the plot and action from this novel. A lot happens and the details around the alien ship are interesting. The author does great work with medical particulars, which went a long way in pulling me into the story. The action is good and there were enough twists and turns to keep me interested throughout. I loved having a female protagonist with an interesting backstory.<br /><br />I will say that there was a romantic element in the middle of the book that didn’t quite work for me. I don’t mind a bit of romance in my sci-fi story, but honestly it felt forced. Author Wells is at her strongest describing action and moving a very interesting plot along. The romance felt contrived and out of place. The romance portions seemed to be more ‘tell’ than ‘show’ and largely came on strong in a few points in the story. I would have rather the author subtlety show us the growing attraction between the characters, rather than hit us over the head with overt thoughts and narrative. <br /><br />This book is the first in a series and another where I thought the author did a nice job in resolving the plot of this story fully, while setting up the series. I’m interested in the next book, which received even stronger reviews, but I do have a very full TBR pile – hopefully sometime in 2018!<br /><br />All in all, a very enjoyable first contract story with an imaginative plot and strong action. The author shines more with technical descriptions and action than character development and relationships, but still a fun, interesting science fiction tale!<br />

First Contact. Humans meeting extraterrestrial life for the first time. It's a great setup, ripe with tension, conflict and the potential for the exploration of what it means to be human in a big universe. <br /><br />I love a good first contact story, and <i>Fluency</i> is... well, it's a passable first contact story.<br /><br />The novel centers around the exploration of a derelict spaceship in our asteroid belt, a vehicle that NASA has known about for decades, but has been unable to reach. When it is discovered that the strange ship is in the path of a comet an expedition is launched, comprised of the best and brightest NASA astronauts and a world-renowned linguist Dr. Jane Holloway. Holloway (the central character) is a linguistic prodigy and her role in the mission is to manage first contact.<br /><br />When the team reach the ship it is derelict and empty, or at least it seems so until Holloway collapses and finds her mind being telepathically engaged by the sole remaining E.T on the ship - the ships navigator - a being who has been stranded alone for decades. Holloway must then race to convince her colleagues that she is still sane and that the navigator is no threat to them while they deal with a dangerously decaying alien ship and the malevolent forces that killed the vessel's original crew. <br /><br />While juggling all this she also has to face her attraction to a fellow crew member, and their budding romance... (A gruff voice cuts in) <b>Sorry? What? Romance? In Science Fiction!? Scandalous! In my day the only romance in SF was between a grizzled, time-travelling space marine and Betty, his 40-kilowatt plasma rifle...</b><br /><br />If that was your reaction to the revelation that this novel includes romance, then I recommend you avoid this book. (Perhaps it should carry a warning, to alert readers to the presence of pining, heartache and aching loins.) A few reviewers have complained about the romance aspects of <i>Fluency</i>, but I had no real issue with it. Romance happens, even if it doesn't happen much in SF, and the budding relationship in <i>Fluency</i> doesn't dominate the story.<br /><br />What does detract from the story is one major deus ex, and a general lack of tension.<br /><br />The Deus ex occurs early on in the story when the main character, due to her experience with languages, is able to spontaneously understand the alien language used on board (In both written and aural form). I didn't buy this, or the hokey explanation of all species sharing some sort of proto-language deep in their DNA or whatever that underpinned it. Rather, it seemed a very obvious structural requirement for the story to progress- a way to maneuver Holloway into being able to quickly communicate with the alien navigator.<br /><br />This lack of tension is most obvious when the NASA team are assaulted by a horde of vicious alien beasts that resemble a sort of dog/scorpion/<i>Predator</i> hybrid. While these beasts are literally tearing strips off the crew in what should be a terrifying life-and-death battle the main character has time to amusingly reflect mid-combat on a scene from . This was cute, but the crew might as well have been popping off a few lazy rounds at the local shooting range for all the tension that there was in this scene.<br /><br />Despite all this I didn't hate <i>Fluency</i> or even really dislike it. The story rattles along and doesn't stall too often, and the relationship between Holloway and the ship's sole resident alien is kinda fun. I don't know if I'd recommend this book, but I think Wells has potential, and I'm curious to see where she goes with her sequel.<br /><br />2.5 Stars

I've given up on this book just shy of halfway through. Let me just say; there's nothing wrong with a romantic subplot, but when I'm constantly whacked in the face with it in a story that wasn't even remotely categorized as a romance, I get a little irritated. I got about as far as the characters being forced to shower together to "conserve resources," which resulted in unwanted erections and conversations about them, and then I gave up. This is not the book I wanted or expected to read when I checked this out.

Fluency by Jennifer Foehner Wells and narrated by Susanna Burney is absolutely fabulous! A mix of characters on the way to an alien spaceship only to find it not how they expected. The crew member they brought to learn and communicate with the aliens actually succeeds but not in the way anyone expected! So many twists and turns! Is the alien friend or foe? So exciting! I want to follow this series! <br />The narration really brought this book together! Wonderful job!

I was surprised at the number of mean-spirited reviews tallied for this novel by Jennifer Foehner Wells. I mean, <i>how dare</i> she categorize a book under SF&amp;F&gt;Science Fiction&gt;Military&gt;Space Fleet and include a <i>romantic</i> element to the story. That is not to say there aren't a lot of positive reviews, but, wow, the pot shots. I admittedly came at this book from the Romance&gt;Science Fiction angle. Clearly we romance readers are a kinder, gentler crowd.<br /><br />Ironically, I found the romance lacking, but the aeronautics, engineering and biology aspects of the book were absorbing. Was it accurate? I don't know and I don't care. This is a <i>fantasy</i> novel. It was engrossing, imaginative, lightly philosophical and action-packed. In a gender-bender of an action story, we get to see Jane kicking alien butt and carrying studly but unconscious Dr. Bergen away to safety. Linguist Jane rapidly ascends to being in charge of the mission due to her special skills, unique cognitive abilities and humanity. <br /><br />A lot of the naysayers of this book take it to task for the way in which the military head of the mission, Walsh, was unprofessional and irrational. I interpreted it more as JFW pulling from the James Cameron canon of thought in movies such as <i>Aliens, The Abyss</i> or <i>Avatar</i>. In some ways, it felt like NASA set up the linguist on the team, Dr. Jane Holloway, to be the sacrificial lamb once they arrived at Target. Well, she surprised Walsh, the rest of the team, and herself. <i>Fluency</i> is the story of the birth of a leader. <br /><br />A lot happens in this book, but there is such a good suspense factor that I don't want to spoil it. The spookiest alien movies swell the tension just before the hatch opens, and the best sequences penned by JFW are when the team first docks and explores the alien vessel. These early chapters are technical and tight, and filled with anxiety, gore and emotion. The author even manages to fluidly set up the attraction between Dr. Jane and Dr. Alan even in the middle of....well, I don't want to say. For the romance readers, I will note that this book is sci-fi heavy, with the romance taking up roughly 40% of the narrative.<br /><br />There is an abrupt ending, but it isn't necessarily a giant cliffhanger. It reminds me of a season-ending episode of a TV series that teases a new thread for the fall premiere. I tuned in to <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/29488335.Remanence" title="Remanence by Jennifer Foehner Wells" rel="noopener">Remanence</a>.