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Plot Summary of Signals
"

Ace, Apr 2003, 5.99, 272 pp.
ISBN: 0441010393

Post doctorate physicist Sarah Bakker detects the signals that act radically different than anything observed before. Though remaining skeptical, as SETI has had false alarms before, Sarah believes the signal is emanating in an area of space where no star is near enough to cause a natural phenomenon leading to the possibility that intelligent life has been detected.

TV journalist Rachel Davies links Sarah's story to a UFO nut case that State Senator Jason Parker sees as an opportunity to add United in the front of his job résumé. He is in a partnership to further the needs of himself, Davies, graduate student Steven Weiss and UFOlogist Jonathan Travis at the cost of the truth. His actions lead to the Army establishing the Galaxy Expedition Team led by Captain Thomas Hackett. As Thomas and Sarah become acquainted and attracted to one another, they seek the truth, which is out there on the edge of the solar system.

The opening novel of a quartet is an engaging tale that sets the stage for the remaining books. Manipulators for personal gain battle with those who face the reality that they are coming, but for what purpose and will they stay? Sarah is a delightful idealist who wants to do the right thing. Thomas is a charming career soldier who will follow orders, but do his best to insure the right thing occurs. Jason and his cohorts are a cynical foursome though in some ways Jonathan does not quite fit into the group. Fans of first encounter tales will relish Kevin Randle's book that leaves SIGNALS, the first book in The Exploration Chronicles a Sci Fi junkie's triumph and will have fan eagerly awaiting the next book in this series.

Harriet Klausner
"

Harriet Klausner, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of Signals
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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Plot

Composition of Book
Descript. of chases or violence - 10%
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20%
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 50%
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20%




Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - science fiction story
Explore/1st contact/ enviro story Yes
Plotlets: - primitive/present day space voyage
Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book

Main Character
Identity: - Female
Profession/status: - scientist
Age: - 20's-30's
How sensitive is this character? - sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - very athletic

Main Adversary
Identity: - Male
Age: - 40's-50's
Profession/status: - politician/elected ruler
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character? - hard edged
Sense of humor - Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence - Smarter than most other characters
Physique - average physique

Setting
Earth setting: - near future (later in 21st century)
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Style
Person? - mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death? - no torture/death
scientific jargon? (SF only) - a moderate amount of scientific explanation
How much dialogue? - significantly more dialog than descript
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Red Thunder by John Varley
The Return by Buzz Aldrin and John Barnes


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