I had a great time with one. I loved the humor, and the unique world-building, and the twisty plot. The characters were interesting to follow, and the conversations around the importance of seeking to understand and respect other cultures were well done. I’ll definitely be recommending it.

Edward Ashton's books always scratch an itch for me that seems so particularly hard to get at. I like sci-fi but only easy-to-follow stories with accessible science or technology explanations and characters that make you care about following. Ashton manages to blend the perfect amount of humor, character building, exciting plot, and an interesting premise in every one of his stories and The Fourth Consort is no exception.

In The Fourth Consort, Dalton Greaves, a human, is invited to be the first representative of humanity to join The Unity, a consortium of species who are working towards a happier future for all. Throughout the story though, it becomes apparent to Dalton that this is not true--there are others out there looking out for the future of all species and they're working against The Unity.

A fast-paced story with lots of twists and turns, this is the perfect read for fans of Andy Weir and Blake Crouch. The audio version is excellent and I would highly recommend reading it this way. The narration is great.

Another 3.5 from the author for me.

While I’m still waiting for Mickey 17 movie to release, I was pretty interested to read this new standalone from the author, especially because it seemed like a fun adventure with first contact. And I guess I got what I expected.

Dalton is a first contact specialist/diplomat working for a pan-species group Unity who gets stranded on an alien planet, with a counterpart of his from another group, the Assembly. The book follows the dynamics between Dalton, the Assembly stickman Breaker, and the Queen (or First-Among-Equals) of the alien species - the cultural differences/misunderstandings between the three groups, their mistaken assumptions of each other, the unlikely bonds that form amid assassination attempts, all while getting some much needed snark from the translator AI.

The writing is fun and fast paced, with some giggle inducing dialogue here and there. But for whatever reason, I didn’t find this one as funny as Mal Goes to War. The audiobook of this one, however, is equally good and the narrator Barrie Kreinik does some excellent voices. Overall, this was an entertaining enough read with a bit of an abrupt conclusion, but may not be one I’ll remember much in the long term.

This one was a very nice surprise for me! I ended up deciding to read it now because it was a shorter audiobook read and everything about it was great. I enjoyed Dalton’s take on meeting this new world and dealing with the “stickman” from the Assembly, a confederation of aliens who are not big fans of the Unity, that Dalton and Meera currently work for. After the stickman, Breaker, and Dalton and Meera are stranded on this new planet with the native population things get very interesting.

There is some fun palace intrigue, an interesting slow-burn relationship, an overall wild first-contact story, shifting loyalties, and some dark humor. I really enjoyed Breaker as a character the most and I am so happy with how this book ended. The narrator for the audiobook, Barrie Kreinik, did a fantastic job with this one as we were transported to a whole other world. I would recommend this for any of my fellow sci-fi nerds out there.

Fans of Ashton's Mickey7 series will enjoy this as-for-now stand alone sci-fi novel of first contact. It's so similar to the Mickey books that you could probably do a "search and replace" Dalton with Mickey and come up with the next in the series. That's not to say it's not enjoyable, it's just very similar in plot, characters, and theme to the Mickey books. Very similar. Except less death of the MC.

Could easily see this becoming a series and hope that it moves into new territory to make it distinguishable from the Mickey series.

Edward Ashton's "The Fourth Consort" delivers an immersive science fiction experience that plunges readers into a richly detailed alien world from its opening pages. The novel's strength lies in its meticulous world-building, presenting readers with an intricate planetary environment and a fascinatingly complex alien civilization. At its core, the story explores the delicate balance between diplomatic relations and cultural understanding, as the protagonist navigates a society where honor and what might be perceived as brutality are intrinsically linked.

The relationship development between the protagonist and a key character, colloquially known as the "stick man," stands out as one of the novel's most compelling elements. However, the narrative leaves several threads unexplored, particularly regarding the broader political structures of Unity and the Assembly. While the supporting cast adds depth to the world, some characters, such as Neera, could have benefited from further development. The conclusion, while intriguing, feels somewhat rushed, leaving readers wanting more resolution.

Despite these minor shortcomings, Ashton has created a thought-provoking tale that effectively combines elements of first-contact science fiction with nuanced cultural commentary. The novel succeeds in presenting a unique perspective on cross-species diplomacy and the challenges of bridging vast cultural divides.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me a copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

Out Today!

“𝙃𝙤𝙬 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙡𝙚𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙨𝙝𝙞𝙩 𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙗𝙞𝙩𝙘𝙝 𝙤𝙛 𝙖 𝙗𝙖𝙧𝙩𝙚𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙧 𝙗𝙚𝙝𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙛𝙤𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧? 𝙏𝙚𝙡𝙡 𝙢𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙨𝙖𝙙 𝙨𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙛𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙣𝙙, 𝙝𝙤𝙬 𝙢𝙪𝙘𝙝 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙤 𝙗𝙚 𝙖 𝙎𝙥𝙖𝙘𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣?”

I had such a great time with this book! It totally took me by surprise. The humor had me cackling out loud, and I very much did not expect some of the turns it took.

Dalton is on an alien planet, dealing with two different alien species with their own languages, and his AI interpreter isn’t able to accurately transcribe everything, which is a problem as Dalton is trying not to die. 😂

This is definitely one of the more lighthearted sci-fi books I’ve read, with just the right amount of danger, stakes, action, and humor. I was so engrossed, I finished it in a day.

Audiobook notes: Barrie Krenik was fantastic! Like, I kept forgetting that there was only a single narrator, her voice range was so vast. And her delivery really added to the humor! Definitely recommend the audiobook.

What this series is giving:
✅ Science Fiction
✅ Aliens
✅ Bickering Translator
✅ % Confidence
✅ Honored Guest
✅ Humor
✅ Standalone

3.5 stars really but rounded up.

This was a fast fun read. We get right into the story and it held my attention to the end. When I want Sci-Fi this is what I am asking for. Not the ones with too many fantasy elements (such as space witches or something).

I have never read anything by this author before but I will certainly look for their other titles.

I thoroughly enjoyed the audio version. The narrator did great switching between characters. The sarcasm elements. Chefs kiss. The production quality was good and the narrators voice pleasant to listen to. I would listen to more of their work as well.

My main complaint is that I feel the story could have been fleshed out a little more. When reading the blurb it made it sound like a certain person had way more to do with the plot, and when I got to the end I was confused why they portrayed them that way. I don't feel they had that much sway in the plot. It threw me off a little as I was expecting more from said character. That's what took off half a star for me. Otherwise loved it.

Thank you Netgally and Macmillan for the chance to review the audio!

After finishing The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton in one day, all I have to say is... uhh, yes?????

This book completely exceeded all of my expectations (which, to be fair, were pretty low... but STILL, I was so happily surprised by this story!

The story is short and sweet—only 288 pages or 8 hours and 25 minutes for the audiobook (which is how I experienced the book).

Audiobooks for me are typically very easy to consume, but this one made it even easier.

The narrator, Barrie Kreinik, was engaging and honestly a fantastic choice for the story. My only question is: why didn’t they choose a male narrator (since the main character is male)?

But that's beside the point... The Fourth Consort is a sci-fi fantasy with a (would you believe it?) happy ending. And of course, I’m all here for that.

I will say, though, I had no idea where the book was going, but I was totally along for the ride. I was pleasantly surprised with how it wrapped up in the end, especially given that I wasn't even sure what a good outcome could be for the story —though I did feel a tiny bit of disappointment because some closure was left wanting.

Now, let’s talk about the composition of the book itself.

It strikes a good balance between plot and characters, though there’s not much world-building (since it's a standalone), so it definitely leans more towards being character-driven.

Throughout, you might find yourself loving, hating, and being confused by some of those characters—but that’s part of the fun. The book had me giggling throughout, with lots of funny little quips between the characters, and I also really appreciated the main character’s morals and how they developed over the course of the story, especially in how they interacted with the other characters.

All in all, I really enjoyed this standalone novel. It was a fun ride, and really had a little bit of everything—humor, action, thrills, and even some cuteness.

I’m giving it a 4/5 rating, and with its set date to come out in just a couple of days (February 25th), I’ll definitely be recommending this book to my friends!

Thank you to Edward Ashton, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for the audio ARC of this book.

What a ride this book took me on. I dont often read sci-fi novels because they usually go over my head a bit. However, this one caught my eye because of the interesting plot. I really enjoyed the audio version, though I'm sure I would have retained some more information from physically reading it.
Dalton finds himself in some really unfavorable situations, making alliances with beings he didnt think he would on a planet unknown to him. Seeing his comprehension of these new beings evolve throughout the book was great. I also loved the ending, how he manages to save himself over and over again. I'm still not sure if Neera was good or bad in this book though. And Breaker was a "friend" he made along the way. Awesome book. Will definitely read another from this author in the future. And maybe I'll even try more sci-fi books too!

The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton was a great read and such a fabulous listen (as I was switching between book and audio). Barrie Kreinik's narration was amazing. Her interpretation of each character provided a unique personality for each and I was able to identify each one by the voice she chose for them.

This was my first experience with this author and he did not disappoint. If you are looking for cozy SciFi in the vein of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir or Nether Station by Kevin J. Anderson, where you get a great human and alien friendships in the end, this book is for you. The story was character driven and each one was so well written that I definitely wanted to learn more of each one's back story. This books feels like such a great introduction to a new universe, that I a hoping to get more of it from this author so this could also be picked up as a television series.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. Opinions are my own.

Dalton finds himself stranded on an alien world with Neera, while working for the intergalactic agency Unity. He's stranded with a "stickman", a member of another agency called the Assembly. Both organizations are trying to bring the aliens on this world into their respective organizations in the name of intergalactic peace and enlightenment, but one of the two organizations may not be all that they appear.

This sci-fi kept me hooked, I couldn't stop listening as I was whisked away into the world this author created. The narrator did a fantastic job and I was absolutely enthralled. Really enjoyable and I highly recommend. It felt so gritty and real to watch Dalton try to navigate his way through an advanced alien society, their weird rules, customs, and political motivations while relying on a slightly haughty AI translator who isn't always sure it is translating a few things right. Dalton makes unexpected friends, enemies, and chaos ensues. I also really enjoyed "Bob" and "Randall" as dry comedic relief. While Dalton's character is complex and fully fleshed out, his reactions and responses feel so real and believable, I can not say the same for the other characters. The others felt flat, one-dimensional, with no depth. I would have thought the other human character, Neera, would have at least shown more character growth, but she annoyed me at times with how singular-minded and rigid she was. The ending was a bit odd, but made sense for the main character and my favourite alien character. It really was the best way the book could have ended.

The book was advertised as having a bizarre love triangle, but I did not see one at all. Absolutely no romance, or love of any kind. Bizarre loyalty triangle maybe, or alliance triangle, but that's about it. I was a little put off by this claim and felt it was a misrepresentation of the book.

The Fourth Consort by Edward Ashton is a humorous and quirky sci-fi novel about first contact and alien politics. The story follows Dalton Greaves, a human representative for the Unity confederation, as he navigates a chaotic first contact scenario on a planet inhabited by insectoid aliens. Dalton, along with his colleague and a representative from a rival faction, becomes entangled in the planet's political landscape, facing cultural misunderstandings, potential threats, and a malfunctioning AI translator. Ashton's blend of dark humor and engaging narrative, comparing it favorably to his previous work, Mickey 7. The book is recommended for fans of authors like John Scalzi and Becky Chambers.

The novel is characterized by its fast-paced plot, witty dialogue, and creative world-building. Dalton's sarcastic personality and his interactions with the alien species provide much of the humor, while the underlying mystery of the Unity's true motives adds depth to the story. The audiobook version, narrated by Barrie Kreinik, was particularly well-received, with critics noting her skillful portrayal of the diverse characters and her ability to capture the book's comedic tone. The combination of Ashton's writing style and Kreinik's narration makes for an entertaining and immersive reading/listening experience.

I feel that the background of the Unity organization could have been more developed, the overall consensus is that The Fourth Consort is a fun and thought-provoking read. It explores themes of cultural assumptions, bias, and the challenges of communication, all while maintaining a lighthearted and engaging tone. The book's unique blend of humor, action, and social commentary makes it a worthwhile addition to the sci-fi genre.

When trying to figure out what exactly to say about this book - because I liked it, but I'm not sure why I liked it?? - I realized that it's totally my thing ... but the masculine version of whatever "my thing" is. The Fourth Consort is SF with a fast-paced plot and a conflict based on cultural misunderstanding. The hero of the book is a near-future Renaissance Man: humble, intelligent, sarcastic, but not afraid to defend his ideals with his life, Dalton Greaves studied engineering at Carnegie Mellon, was an officer in the armed forces who saw action and was even a POW, and is a former successful tech employee who now works as a first contact specialist with the Union.

Except his current assignment turns out to be a total FUBAR situation when his first contact specialist "stick man" counterpart from the rival Alliance gets in before he does with the newest alien civilization.

Soon Dalton finds himself at the center of politics on this new planet. He's married off to their Queen (or is that their First Among Equals?) while also navigating a fraught bromance with that stick man. But also, everyone seems like they're out to kill him ... maybe? Or it could be that his translator is just malfunctioning...?

While I didn't find this groundbreaking, it was super entertaining, and I was always invested in how Dalton was going to get himself out of another (extremely violent) pickle. The closest comp I can think of is if Megan Whelan Turner's Thick as Thieves were written by Isaac Asimov. and yeah, those two tastes together are definitely a little odd!

I have to say that I loved the choice of Barrie Kreinik as narrator: this added a little bit of a feminine touch to what I felt like was a very masculine story. I loved her different accents for the translator, and they were perfectly calibrated to take advantage of the humor of the book.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the audiobook.

Edward Ashton's latest sci-fi gem, The Fourth Consort, plunges Dalton Greaves into the heart of cosmic diplomacy. Dalton is humanity's ambassador to the mysterious Unity alliance, a seemingly benevolent confederation of alien species. Dalton soon discovers a web of deceit and intrigue lurking beneath Unity's cryptic facade. With Ashton's trademark darkly comedic tone and sharp wit, readers are treated to a thrilling tale of political maneuvering, alien encounters, and the precarious nature of interstellar trust.

Edward Ashton's sci-fi prowess continues to captivate readers. Following the resounding success of Mickey 7 (soon to be a major motion picture Mickey 17) and Antimatter Blues, his latest offering Mal Goes to War and the highly anticipated The Fourth Consort, solidify his status as a genre-defining author. Ashton's ability to blend thought-provoking concepts with engaging narratives and unforgettable characters has earned him a devoted fanbase. Without hesitation, I'm awarding The Fourth Consort a full five stars and wholeheartedly recommend it to any sci-fi enthusiast seeking a thrilling and imaginative adventure.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Edward Ashton for this Advanced Audiobook Copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This was a good time. If you enjoyed Mickey 7, you’ll find some similar aspects in The Fourth Consort. While the stories are completely separate, we still have a lovable and goofy MC who is trying to his best and unknowingly building relationships with the others is surrounded by. I will absolutely be keeping up with what the author does next.

I love Edward Ashton’s sci- fi novels! The Fourth Consort was a fast- paced , humor filled tale of “first contact” with two separate factions, Unity and Assembly, both arriving on the primitive Minarch planet vying to win over allegiance to their federations and trying to gain the upper hand to secure the Minarchs’ allegiance. As the two envoys are greeted by the sentient planet -bound Minarchs, the two Mother ships belonging to Unity and Assembly, blow each other out of the sky effectively stranding the Unity team (Dalton & Neera) along with the Assembly representative (an alien “stickman” Breaker). What transpires is a three way cultural struggle to communicate amid a Minarch political coup with Daltons’ snarky AI translator getting the best lines. Loved the audiobook and excellent narrator.

Highly Recommended for fans of Becky Chambers and John Scalzi.

The Fourth Consort is a very creative book centered on interplanetary diplomats. Earth has been visited by a superior species, but life hasn't changed that much other than a few people get employed to be emissaries with the aliens to visit other sentient life. The few who come back alive are fabulously wealthy and reticent to discuss what they saw or did.
Dalton gets recruited to this bizarre role immediately after getting dumped at a bar. Free of attachments or purpose, he signs up. Earth's boss is in a race against the Assembly, and each group thinks the other is pure evil. Both are racing to get to civilizations before they kill themselves, which many do.
Dalton and his human recruiter Mira land on a planet inhabited by insectoids and get separated by their alien minder, when the Assembly show up and have a space battle. Dalton decides to go on with the mission to try to make relations, and so does the Assembly's emissary, who he comes to call Breaker.
They get involved in the internal politics of the female=dominated culture, with lots of intriguing twists and turns, threats, confusion, and critical gaps in AI translation.
Descriptions of the various species and how their worldviews do or don't help them understand each other are excellent, although more of Earth's relations and why they are needed to do this would be helpful.
Overall, great reason to think about cultural assumptions, how they evolve, and bias for what we know -- while also entertaining!

With nothing to lose, Dalton Greaves signs on to work as a human representative of Unity, a pan-species confederation working to find and protect sentient life across the universe (or so he's been told). But when an encounter between his ship and that of an enemy Assembly cruiser leaves Dalton and his colleague Neera stranded with the planet's natives and an Assembly stickman, Dalton finds his survival might leave him questioning everything he's been told.

I had so much fun with this one! This was my first book by Ashton and I will definitely be checking out his other books. Although Ashton brings up questions around the morality of Unity's mission, he keeps the feeling of the story humorous (with more than a touch of dark comedy) with Dalton's antics and a cast of often snarky and sarcastic characters.

Dalton is at all times accompanied by an AI translator (it's implanted in his head) that helps him communicate with both the locals and the Assembly stickman. It additionally attempts to give him advice in certain precarious situations, responds in kind to his sarcasm, and definitely became one of my favorite characters.

The audiobook is narrated by Barrie Kreinik. This was my first time listening to her on audio, and I'm absolutely in love! As the only narrator, she had quite a task narrating the many different characters (of different species) by herself, and she did such an amazing job bringing each of the characters to life.

Read if you like:
Standalone sci-fi
Aliens
Interspecies diplomacy
Snarky AI
Enemies to friends
Dark comedy

Edward Ashton is quickly becoming one of my favorite sci-fi authors. This is a good read if you have enjoyed his other books. I was intrigued by the first contact style story with some alien politics thrown in. This book is humorous and quirky. If you enjoy John Scalzi, you should give this one a try.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy!