The Chara Talisman

Archeological Adventure in T-Space #1

by Alastair Mayer

On a distant planet, archeologist Hannibal Carson finds the remains of a high-tech artifact in a primitive tomb.The Velkaryans, a ruthless cult, believe it's the clue to a lost cache of alien weapons. Homeworld Security enlists Carson and his old flame, starship pilot Jacqueline "Jackie" Roberts, to decipher the clue and find the cache before the cult does. With a thriving black market in alien artifacts, Carson is used to dealing with tomb raiders -- but the stakes this time could be interstellar war.Set fifty years after the Alpha Centauri trilogy, this is the first-written book of the ever-expanding T-Space series. A thrilling expansion to the short story "Stone Age," which appeared in the June, 2011 issue of Analog Science Fiction & Fact magazine, this book has been described as "like Indiana Jones in space".Fast action, hard science, and light comedy. Join the adventure. Explore T-Space!

270 pages, Paperback

First published November 10, 2011

Reviews

[Ray Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written archeological tale in space

I enjoyed this take of T-space. I just finished the author's trilogy of initial colonization which was two good books and one weaker one. This was a good read, lacking a bit in character development, but a good story. I've grown tired of the space opera military shoot-em ups. This is more traditional SF. Bravo.

[Red Tide · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much slapstick

The characters go from crisis to crisis, yet don't seem to accept their danger. It gets to be a bit of Perils of Pauline as another reader put it about another novel.

I didn't finish it because the characters irritated me. The writing wasn't bad but the story didn't hold my attention.

[Louis A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice Read!

Nicely done. I’m interested in reading the 2 additional books in the series. Sure some of the cast is pro forma(sp), but you sometimes desire the known!!

[David Wayne Sutton]

Looking forward to read the 2nd in the series

[Steve Bender · Rating 4 out of 5]

An indiana Jones of T-Space, that is planets that were terraformed by an unknown source. The hero and his two sidekicks escape villains and decipher archeological finds. fun adventure.

[Stefanos Kouzof · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice, very well thought out sci-fi adventure series, with no science errors. A rare occasion. Will read more, certainly.

[Noodle The Naughty Night Owl]

1/10: Couldn't get past the first few chapters; not for me.

[MomandDad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kept me engaged to the end and left me with the desire to read Book 2. So far enjoying the series, including the interludes introduced in the next book.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes Awkward

Not the easiest storyline and plot to follow. It was interesting mostly, but there are a few exasperating incidents that negatively impacted my opinions. It does get better if one stays with it. Minimal character development, barely sufficient background and history to support the storyline. And in spite of those failings, I held a favorable impression at the end of the book. Odd, but there you have it. I’m on to the second book and we’ll see how it goes.