Review of Sent to Watch
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Georgia Thompson 1
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- Latest Review: Sent to Watch by David J. Lebenstein
Review of Sent to Watch
[Following is a volunteer review of "Sent to Watch" by David J. Lebenstein.]
Sent to Watch by author David J. Lebenstein is historical science fiction set in post-Napoleonic England about aliens who surveil and infiltrate other planets to monitor if that planet can be admitted to their peaceful confederation. Three agents were assigned to monitor England when it was known as planet Earth 48, ranked at technology level 8, cultural level 6, with all wars on its primary continent with the fierce native warlord, Napoleon Bonaparte. Field agents of the Interplanetary Intelligence Service were given intensive training and much latitude to carry out their mission, and they were given a very strict rule never to intervene or interfere in any way with the normal development of the planets they were surveilling. Their motto was “Sent to watch, but not to affect.”
I appreciate the glossary provided at the beginning with the list of characters, places and time; it was a useful guide. Also, the prologue at the beginning provides a good insight into the story. The alien characters sent to watchwere likeable species, especially Unni and Ori. The author’s historical concept based on the post Napoleonic war era when countries were political unstable, was well researched. I also like the special care the aliens execute when they re-enter the spaceship to make their reports; all must pass through a decontaminate chamber to avoid bringing any diseases onto the ship. I also like that the aliens sent on their respective missions were able to blend in well with the natives on that planet. Agents were also not sent out on solo missions but assigned in pairs, which was good, so they have a sense of companionship on earth. Author David J. Lebenstein was able to take me back to the century when British shillings were used. I have learned a lot, for example, that the British discovered the 7th planet Uranus, who was in fact a migrant from Germany.
There were several aspects of the book that I didn’t like that threw me off. First, there were so many characters packed into one book that it made my head spin, and I especially could not keep up with their complex historical surnames along with their dual names. For example, Unni Vlaytork is an analyst and field agent assigned to the British Empire under the alias Jennifer Carter, Orishackt “Ori” Svavapass is a field agent assigned to the British Empire under the alias Robert Weatherby. There were also a bunch of secondary characters, for example, Dr. Louis LeBlanc and Dr. Jacques Dubocq. The aliens were also not allowed to speak Grellish until the hatch was closed according to the protocols and they were too humanlike. Another issue I stumbled on was that the author's writing style fell flat and lacked creativity; The King’s English was not well executed in the dialogues because most of the aliens struggled with the English pronunciation of names. I also didn't get the element or feel of a story; it was more like I was reading a complex history book. What really is a Grellish language?
I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. Even though author David J. Lebenstein was able to take me back to the post-events after the Napoleonic War, the peace term agreed with the introduction of the Corn Law, events that happened with Princess Charlotte and such in 1817s, it however, lacked depth. The author did a good job as he took us back on an historical journey with an alien twist with agents of peace, but it wasn’t captivating; it was merely leaning towards an educational journey. The book was well edited, except for the mispronounced words that were spoken in the dialogues, which may appear to be typos for some readers. The book was also has minor boarder-line profanities such as “bloomin’ bloody..”. Overall, I learned a lot from the story.
I recommend this book to historical lovers and people who enjoy reading about aliens and technology. It is a knowledgeable combination of history and science supported by extraterrestrial intelligence. However, readers must be forewarned that this book is not for readers who seek high level adventures. But don’t be alarm. Overall, it is interesting to read about the confederation of civilized planets.
******
Sent to Watch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Sent to Watch by author David J. Lebenstein is historical science fiction set in post-Napoleonic England about aliens who surveil and infiltrate other planets to monitor if that planet can be admitted to their peaceful confederation. Three agents were assigned to monitor England when it was known as planet Earth 48, ranked at technology level 8, cultural level 6, with all wars on its primary continent with the fierce native warlord, Napoleon Bonaparte. Field agents of the Interplanetary Intelligence Service were given intensive training and much latitude to carry out their mission, and they were given a very strict rule never to intervene or interfere in any way with the normal development of the planets they were surveilling. Their motto was “Sent to watch, but not to affect.”
I appreciate the glossary provided at the beginning with the list of characters, places and time; it was a useful guide. Also, the prologue at the beginning provides a good insight into the story. The alien characters sent to watchwere likeable species, especially Unni and Ori. The author’s historical concept based on the post Napoleonic war era when countries were political unstable, was well researched. I also like the special care the aliens execute when they re-enter the spaceship to make their reports; all must pass through a decontaminate chamber to avoid bringing any diseases onto the ship. I also like that the aliens sent on their respective missions were able to blend in well with the natives on that planet. Agents were also not sent out on solo missions but assigned in pairs, which was good, so they have a sense of companionship on earth. Author David J. Lebenstein was able to take me back to the century when British shillings were used. I have learned a lot, for example, that the British discovered the 7th planet Uranus, who was in fact a migrant from Germany.
There were several aspects of the book that I didn’t like that threw me off. First, there were so many characters packed into one book that it made my head spin, and I especially could not keep up with their complex historical surnames along with their dual names. For example, Unni Vlaytork is an analyst and field agent assigned to the British Empire under the alias Jennifer Carter, Orishackt “Ori” Svavapass is a field agent assigned to the British Empire under the alias Robert Weatherby. There were also a bunch of secondary characters, for example, Dr. Louis LeBlanc and Dr. Jacques Dubocq. The aliens were also not allowed to speak Grellish until the hatch was closed according to the protocols and they were too humanlike. Another issue I stumbled on was that the author's writing style fell flat and lacked creativity; The King’s English was not well executed in the dialogues because most of the aliens struggled with the English pronunciation of names. I also didn't get the element or feel of a story; it was more like I was reading a complex history book. What really is a Grellish language?
I rate this book 3 out of 5 stars. Even though author David J. Lebenstein was able to take me back to the post-events after the Napoleonic War, the peace term agreed with the introduction of the Corn Law, events that happened with Princess Charlotte and such in 1817s, it however, lacked depth. The author did a good job as he took us back on an historical journey with an alien twist with agents of peace, but it wasn’t captivating; it was merely leaning towards an educational journey. The book was well edited, except for the mispronounced words that were spoken in the dialogues, which may appear to be typos for some readers. The book was also has minor boarder-line profanities such as “bloomin’ bloody..”. Overall, I learned a lot from the story.
I recommend this book to historical lovers and people who enjoy reading about aliens and technology. It is a knowledgeable combination of history and science supported by extraterrestrial intelligence. However, readers must be forewarned that this book is not for readers who seek high level adventures. But don’t be alarm. Overall, it is interesting to read about the confederation of civilized planets.
******
Sent to Watch
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Sent to Watch by David J. Lebenstein
