EON

Chronos Ring, Book 1

By: Earl E. Hardman

Narrated by: Mikael Naramore

In the far future, mankind lives safe and secure behind the Chronos Ring - an automatic defense system that encircles the area of space occupied by human beings. The Ring keeps out all of humanity's enemies - in particular, a vicious race of reptilians known as the Parsnaak.

On the outer fringe of human-occupied space is the planet Muse, an entire world dedicated and established as a colossal museum - a storehouse of antiquities and relics from the ancient histories of both men and aliens. There, Ian Lotus, a man with his own mysterious past, has chosen to live in deliberate obscurity, harboring secrets that could reshape mankind's destiny.

Now, the impossible has happened: the Chronos Ring has been breached - rendered inert - and Lotus finds himself no longer able to hide in the shadows as he becomes the object of a massive interplanetary manhunt. However, his problems go well beyond simply being the most wanted man in the galaxy. There's also the approaching Parsnaak invasion fleet to deal with, as well as an enigmatic, extra-dimensional being of immense power who, for reasons unknown, wants Lotus dead.

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a good listen and typical Hartman excitment

love it a bit slow at first buyers you listen on the pace quicken to a dazzling swell of action

Great story and narration

Great story and narration. A well done space story that had a few twists I wasn't expecting.

Short book

I recieved this audiobook free and my review is voluntary. The overall story was ok. It does stop rather abruptly so if you care about the story you have to read book 2.

Great Author

I like this author very much and this was a great listen. the story went by quick and i was sorry for it to end. I recommend a listen.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

FUN SCI-FI!

The Chronos Ring keeps everyone safe... for now. Even the elusive Eon Lotus, who spends his days on the planet Muse, which is a ginormous museum.

The, the Ring is breached, and all hell breaks loose, and Lotus is smack dab in it.
Not to mention the Parsnaak! Those reptilian devils!

Fun Sci-Fi listen, it's a wild ride and I enjoyed it :)
Definitely want to hear more!

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
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A Good Space Romp

Eon Lotus is your average antiquities expert at a Museum on the remote planet of Muse where he enjoys the protections The Chronos Ring provides while keeping out of the limelight and far away from the machinations of Galactic politics. That is, until a laundry list of important people show up at his Museum for a gala event and all hell breaks loose. Soon, Eon finds himself running for his life with a sidekick he didn’t ask for and nigh-invulnerable enemy close on his heels.

I could tell you more but I took a Sacred Vow of the Yellow Calf.

Reminds me of some of the space operas I used to read as a kid in the 80s. All in all, pretty standard sci-fi fare with a sense of humor, interesting characters and non-stop action.

My only complaint is that just as the story was getting interesting, it ended, thankfully, not with the cliffhanger I was expecting but still with room to continue the story. I will most likely check out part two when it's available.

I enjoyed listening to the narrator. Naramore kept the story moving at a good pace and has great comic delivery. I didn't have any problems discerning the different characters from their voices, my favorite being Nick.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

History and legend enter sci-fi

Welcome to The future. Humanity was almost eradicated. Saves by the creation of a man who virtually nothing is known about. A man whose description matches that of other men who throughout history always came to the fore in mans time of need. He did great deeds and deeds that he is reviled for as well. Now another man with the same features is here and man is again in need of a hero. Will those in power be able to see past their selfish desires and help or will they betray this man for the secrets and powers they desire. Great story with twists and curves all around. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Passable.

I've been listening to a lot of books since the last month and it helps that this book is on a shorter end. I wasn't bored by this book but I wasn't entertained either. The writing style felt immature and childish at several places. There weren't any really tense moments or any situation where I was on the edge of the seat. Pretty meh, tbh.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

Felt a lot like a 1920's or 30's space opera

Fun read, moved very quickly. It definitely had the feel of a 1920's or 30's space opera. It was a fast read. The characters had that early space opera feel, also, a bit two dimensional in a good way. I say that as a fan of that genre, not a critic of it. I like the fact that the author focuses on telling this story and doesn't wander into the weeds just to fill up space, making the book bigger just to be bigger because they don't have enough of a story idea, or because they want to sell you three books to get one story. This is a properly self-contained story. The characters are just well defined enough that the author could write many more stories about them but just enough that the author could use things we don't know about them in future stories, much like the early space opera books. For me this was a very positive first introduction to this author.

A quick read and good performance

Eon is a quick and enjoyable read, although not without it's faults. Set in the far future humanity is protected by a shield - the Chronos Ring - a defense system that keeps the worst of the aliens out. But it now seems that one alien race, hellbent on destroying the humans, have found a way in. Ian Lotus, a mysterious man, is the only person who can stop them.

The story of The Chronos Ring and the Parsnaak only really form the background and the instigation of the story, with aren't actually in the meat of it. Who Ian Lotus is and why he is important is the real story here. The Parsnaak a more of a macguffin to get the story moving, only really showing up at the start and near the climax. They are a remote threat, created to build tension, but not really playing into the story.

The story, with it's twists is generally really enjoyable. It keeps moving a a good pace, invests well in the main character(s), and keeps you guessing as to the true nature of things.

It is the execution, rather than the story, that is lacking. The Parsnaak are part of the issues with this book - they are poorly defined - we are told they are powerful and terrible, but not really shown. When they are shown they fall into a almost cliche gruff military alien mold.

The Chronos Ring, and the extent of humanity are another issue. Humans have expanded throughout the galaxy. The Chronos Ring "protects humanity". Except it seems it protects earth, not humanity, with it being a specific space installation in one place. The exact extent of the Ring and of humanities ventures into space is vague and unsatisfying.

Finally, the way Lotus acts towards the female lead doesn't ring true. They start as adversaries and then work together, but Lotus forgiving and moving on doesn't come across as realistic.

Overall, it is flawed but enjoyable. I imagine with further works, as the writing matures, Hardman shall be an author I shall read again.

Mikael Naramore is becoming a narrator that I pick up his work based almost solely on him being the narrator. He's almost always good. Investing in characters, ensuring all the easily distinguishable and that the emotions are accurately conveyed. He's well paced, clear nad engaging.

Much like the writing of the Parsnaak, Naramore's narration of them is over the top cliche. but otherwise he is really enjoyable here.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.