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Orbs #0.1
Solar Storms
In 2055, scientists discover something far worse than rising temperatures and rising seas—they discover massive sunspots that are producing unprecedented solar flares.
With little time to prepare for the storms, NASA recruits Drs. Sophie Winston and Emanuel Rodriguez to help monitor the solar weather. At first, the duo believes they have been hired for a routine project. But when arriving at the Johnson Space Center they quickly realize they haven’t been told everything about their mission. And as a massive storm races toward Earth, they begin to suspect that it isn’t a natural event. Millions of miles away something is feeding the storms…
“Solar Storms” is a prequel short story to the terrifying sci-fi thriller, ORBS.
With little time to prepare for the storms, NASA recruits Drs. Sophie Winston and Emanuel Rodriguez to help monitor the solar weather. At first, the duo believes they have been hired for a routine project. But when arriving at the Johnson Space Center they quickly realize they haven’t been told everything about their mission. And as a massive storm races toward Earth, they begin to suspect that it isn’t a natural event. Millions of miles away something is feeding the storms…
“Solar Storms” is a prequel short story to the terrifying sci-fi thriller, ORBS.
25 pages, ebook
First published October 29, 2013
About the author
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
110 books2,165 followersNicholas Sansbury Smith is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than forty novels with two million copies sold. Before his writing career, he served at Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management, a background that inspired many of his story concepts. A two time Ironman triathlete, he enjoys running, biking, and hiking. Nicholas also loves traveling, especially to his cabin in Northern Minnesota where he weaves his tales. He lives in Iowa with his wonderful wife and their son and daughter.
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Note: Nicholas is no longer an active user on Goodreads and does not use the platform. If you want to connect with him on social media here are some links. He would love to hear from you.
Facebook Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NSSFa...
Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/nicholassans...
Website: nicholassansburysmith.com
Instagram: instagram.com/author_sansbury/
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
May 23, 2019
When I finished this short story a couple of days ago on my Kindle, I quickly wrote a brief review, and then my Kindle died, so I thought it would have at least some of my review, but no, it had nothing, so here goes.
I have this feeling that this was one of those subscribe to my blog/website/feed and please download a free novella/short story.
Regardless of where it arrived from on my Kindle, it was an enjoyable read and I will certainly go on to the Novel series. Its set not too far in the future and unsurprisingly this short story focusses on the possibility of abnormal sunspots and the potential effect on the earth.
As i say it races along at a great pace, without leaving the reader behind, the characters are interesting and the story is one that has a great future.
My only concern comes from reading other peoples reviews of this story. Most of them appear to have read this after the novels as a prequel and have commented that this is repeated in the first novel. I hope that isn't quite the case as this seems to me a potentially good series as the writing was good.
I have this feeling that this was one of those subscribe to my blog/website/feed and please download a free novella/short story.
Regardless of where it arrived from on my Kindle, it was an enjoyable read and I will certainly go on to the Novel series. Its set not too far in the future and unsurprisingly this short story focusses on the possibility of abnormal sunspots and the potential effect on the earth.
As i say it races along at a great pace, without leaving the reader behind, the characters are interesting and the story is one that has a great future.
My only concern comes from reading other peoples reviews of this story. Most of them appear to have read this after the novels as a prequel and have commented that this is repeated in the first novel. I hope that isn't quite the case as this seems to me a potentially good series as the writing was good.
April 19, 2020
Solar Storms is an introductory/prequel story for the Orbs series. The year is 2055 and scientists discover that severe solar storms might bring about the end of life on Earth. Two experts brought in by NASA to monitor the approaching solar radiation discover that there is more to the situation than anyone expected. Something is feeding the storms.....
I listened to the audio version of this prequel. At just under an hour long, it was a perfect introductory length to get the sci-fi lover in me pumped up to listen to the rest of the series. I am VERY grateful to my public library and Hoopla for providing me awesome sci-fi selections to listen to! And, of course, big thanks to all the authors writing the awesome stuff as well.
I enjoyed this story. It built up my excitement and curiosity about the first book in the series. I'm anxious to find out what happens next!
I listened to the audio version of this prequel. At just under an hour long, it was a perfect introductory length to get the sci-fi lover in me pumped up to listen to the rest of the series. I am VERY grateful to my public library and Hoopla for providing me awesome sci-fi selections to listen to! And, of course, big thanks to all the authors writing the awesome stuff as well.
I enjoyed this story. It built up my excitement and curiosity about the first book in the series. I'm anxious to find out what happens next!
March 13, 2014
I received this short story as a gift from the author in exchange for an honest review.
Does one need to read Solar Storms before reading Orbs? The answer is 'No'. the author inserted excerpts of it in the novel so the readers don't feel lost. However, while it's not a must, it's still a great read. It puts things into perspective. It also helps you connect more with Sophie and Emmanuel, who are important characters in Orbs.
Would I recommend Solar Storms? Yes, if you feel like reading a short story, but the neat thing about it, it's entirely up to you.
I'm giving it a 4* only because it's too short and I usually don't even consider reading short stories. I made an exception for this one and I don't regret it.
Does one need to read Solar Storms before reading Orbs? The answer is 'No'. the author inserted excerpts of it in the novel so the readers don't feel lost. However, while it's not a must, it's still a great read. It puts things into perspective. It also helps you connect more with Sophie and Emmanuel, who are important characters in Orbs.
Would I recommend Solar Storms? Yes, if you feel like reading a short story, but the neat thing about it, it's entirely up to you.
I'm giving it a 4* only because it's too short and I usually don't even consider reading short stories. I made an exception for this one and I don't regret it.
February 21, 2021
Meh. It’s like a teaser for the real book. Would have preferred a tad more backstory, though the stuff about the Gov ignoring science would be considered prescient if it wasn’t what the gov does all of the time. 2, not digging it enough to read the next one, stars.
May 5, 2014
While waiting impatiently for Orbs II to come out, I grew a little impatient and decided to purchase the prequel.
I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the prequel. Disappointed because nothing about the prequel awwed me like ORBS. I really enjoyed ORBS, so i am little surprised to find the prequel uninspiring.
However, the error I see with the prequel, is that it doesn't add much to the ORBs story if you have already read orbs. And a good two chapters of general content in solar storms is also contained in orbs.
so my recommendation is such, if you like the prequel Solar storm, definitely go get orbs. But if you already read ORBS, that prequel is a good story, but in my opinion does add much more that you already don't know.
I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the prequel. Disappointed because nothing about the prequel awwed me like ORBS. I really enjoyed ORBS, so i am little surprised to find the prequel uninspiring.
However, the error I see with the prequel, is that it doesn't add much to the ORBs story if you have already read orbs. And a good two chapters of general content in solar storms is also contained in orbs.
so my recommendation is such, if you like the prequel Solar storm, definitely go get orbs. But if you already read ORBS, that prequel is a good story, but in my opinion does add much more that you already don't know.
March 4, 2014
Nice read, but the writer seems to plagiarise himself. Some passages in "Orbs" are identical to passages in "Solar Storms". Seems like lazy writing to me
December 7, 2018
This is a superb prequel to the Orbs series.
It gives the reader of the series a great starting point in understanding exactly what happened leading up to the events in the first book, Orbs.
Understanding the events that caused the initial wave of destruction will give anyone reading the series a better view of what is to come.
It is a relevant basis to the start of the apocalyptic beginning of the alien invasion and how the science behind what happened was ignored and dismissed by the government as an event that was thought of as being impossible. Top officials and scientists acted like the blind leading the blind.
No one, other than the few brilliant specialists in the know, wanted to see the truth.
This is a wonderful predecessor to the series that you don’t want to miss.
Even though it’s not absolutely necessary, I recommend reading it first or at the very least, after book one.
It’s short but excellent!
March 19, 2014
A short story that sets up the first book in this series “Orbs”. It does a good job of setting up the next book but really isn’t needed to go into the next book and doesn’t expand too much other than the basic concept that there is a CME on the way but does raise some other questions I’m sure will be answered in the book. If you could get it for free it’s worth the hour or so but not sure it’s worth shelling out the $0.99 for.
UPDATE
OK after starting Orbs I can say you should not buy this book. 75% of this book is copies and pasted into Orbs so on a stand alone basis it gets 3 starts it's not worth paying for.
UPDATE
OK after starting Orbs I can say you should not buy this book. 75% of this book is copies and pasted into Orbs so on a stand alone basis it gets 3 starts it's not worth paying for.
January 4, 2015
This was recommended to read as the prequel to Orbs. So I did. Its a short story....a good introduction to some characters I look forward to meeting in Orbs. I feel though that there could have been more of a set up. I needed a little more background. But hopefully some will be answered in the next book.
The idea of solar flares affecting the earth is intriguing. Ok, let me rephrase that. Solar flares have already affected things down here and its a true concern we of this planet should have!!why just last week there was increased solar flare activity and it affected communication in parts of the planet.
The idea of solar flares affecting the earth is intriguing. Ok, let me rephrase that. Solar flares have already affected things down here and its a true concern we of this planet should have!!why just last week there was increased solar flare activity and it affected communication in parts of the planet.
February 4, 2020
Checked out this audiobook by accident, aiming for the other Solar Storms (Linda Hogan). It is a prequel to the Orbs sci-fi book series (which I am unfamiliar with), set six years before the official volume one, I have since determined. It is very short and seems to do a pretty good job as an intro. If I had read and liked the books and wanted to go back afterwards and read this prequel, I'd probably be disappointed. It's barely a short story - the literary equivalent of a movie trailer. Narrator Bronson Pinchot is excellent in the diversity of the voices he uses.
October 28, 2013
I was lucky enough to get my hands on a pre-release copy of this book. Yet again have yet again by surprised by how much story this author can pack into these short stories. This book acts as a great little story and a prequel to his next upcoming book ORBS. I finished this little taster to wanting more, more, more and more.
October 28, 2013
Considering this only took one sitting to read, I was pleasantly surprised by how quickly I was sucked into the story, liked the characters, and felt invested in the tension. This is a really excellent tease of things to come.
October 31, 2013
I love that Smith gives a background and lets you get into his characters heads more by the short story. I have such an attachment to Sophie and I feel like I know her. The story's unique and gripping. I had to read the whole thing at once because I can't bear to put it down.
November 3, 2013
This is a short story that essentially introduces you some of the characters that we are going to find in the book Orbs. It's a fast and very interesting read. It is a preparation for the story that takes place in Orbs.
April 10, 2018
Prequel
It is a short story prequel. As I am about to start Orbs, we will see how it has set me up for that story. Nicholas is a wonderful writer! If you have read Orbs, I'm sure reading this will only add to your experience :)
It is a short story prequel. As I am about to start Orbs, we will see how it has set me up for that story. Nicholas is a wonderful writer! If you have read Orbs, I'm sure reading this will only add to your experience :)
November 16, 2013
Prequel to ORBS, which I haven't read yet, but I soon will. Interesting premise that offers big promise for its successor ORBS.
March 3, 2014
A fantastic way to wet your apatite for Orbs.
January 12, 2014
Solar storms
Good read good set up for the main book orbs can't wait to read it it will be interesting to find out about the orbs
Good read good set up for the main book orbs can't wait to read it it will be interesting to find out about the orbs
April 3, 2018
A massive Coronal Mass Ejection burned across the heartland of America, leaving behind a swath of destruction miles wide. The radioactive scorched earth was left lifeless, unable to sustain life
Dr. Sophie Winston and Dr. Emanuel Rodriguez were whisked away in a helicopter to Houston, to the former home of NASA's Shuttle Control Center. Now it served as a command center for investigation into the massive sunspot producing CMEs and solar flares of unprecedented size and duration.
Sophie and Emanuel quickly got up to speed with engineer Saafi Yool and Dr. Tusi, lead scientist of the task force. Their investigation centered on determining when and where the largest CME in known history would strike the Earth. Finding a stream of data that appeared to be aimed at the sunspot and was 'agitating' the solar storm. Tracing the mysterious data stream back to it's source showed the energy stream was originating from the planet Mars!
The data led to an answer to the question of when . . . the massive CME was already speeding toward the Earth and the when is NOW!
This short story is a prequel to the Orbs series and serves as an introduction to some of the main characters and events in the storyline. Solar Storms is not necessary to read the Orbs series and doesn't include any spoilers or clues, but is an effective intro to the books. Not necessary, but still a good read!
Dr. Sophie Winston and Dr. Emanuel Rodriguez were whisked away in a helicopter to Houston, to the former home of NASA's Shuttle Control Center. Now it served as a command center for investigation into the massive sunspot producing CMEs and solar flares of unprecedented size and duration.
Sophie and Emanuel quickly got up to speed with engineer Saafi Yool and Dr. Tusi, lead scientist of the task force. Their investigation centered on determining when and where the largest CME in known history would strike the Earth. Finding a stream of data that appeared to be aimed at the sunspot and was 'agitating' the solar storm. Tracing the mysterious data stream back to it's source showed the energy stream was originating from the planet Mars!
The data led to an answer to the question of when . . . the massive CME was already speeding toward the Earth and the when is NOW!
This short story is a prequel to the Orbs series and serves as an introduction to some of the main characters and events in the storyline. Solar Storms is not necessary to read the Orbs series and doesn't include any spoilers or clues, but is an effective intro to the books. Not necessary, but still a good read!
July 14, 2024
Solar Storms
Sci-Fi
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ • ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴄᴇ • ʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ •
I quite liked this book. There was a real sense of urgency around the work of the scientists. It was clear that something had gone wrong and that certain information was being kept a secret.
At first I didn't understand why Sophie didn't tell everyone else about the data and information she had discovered when she had the chance to and instead let someone else "find" it. This was addressed later on and it was actually a good thing she didn't share what she had found.
I felt sorry for everyone that died or suffered just because the government refused to take the scientists and their findings seriously.
I liked the chemistry between Sophie and Emanuel. They comforted each other in subtle ways and they clearly had a romantic past.
The ending was interesting. It definitely left things open for the rest of the series and I would like to read the other books.
Sci-Fi
Nicholas Sansbury Smith
⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
• ᴄᴏʀʀᴜᴘᴛɪᴏɴ • ɪɢɴᴏʀᴀɴᴄᴇ • ʀᴀᴄᴇ ᴀɢᴀɪɴꜱᴛ ᴛɪᴍᴇ •
I quite liked this book. There was a real sense of urgency around the work of the scientists. It was clear that something had gone wrong and that certain information was being kept a secret.
At first I didn't understand why Sophie didn't tell everyone else about the data and information she had discovered when she had the chance to and instead let someone else "find" it. This was addressed later on and it was actually a good thing she didn't share what she had found.
I felt sorry for everyone that died or suffered just because the government refused to take the scientists and their findings seriously.
I liked the chemistry between Sophie and Emanuel. They comforted each other in subtle ways and they clearly had a romantic past.
The ending was interesting. It definitely left things open for the rest of the series and I would like to read the other books.
April 8, 2018
A fall back to the beginning of it all.
Hadn’t read the short stories that started it all until now, while I waited for the Orbs 4 book to be released. If you haven’t read the Orbs series yet, this short will start the questions rolling on your head and get you prepared for the many more to come. Orbs is a gripping and well written beginning to Nicholas’s early works that will get the reader familiar to his prose and get you hungry for more. Definitely do not stop with this one, as you will not be disappointed..
Hadn’t read the short stories that started it all until now, while I waited for the Orbs 4 book to be released. If you haven’t read the Orbs series yet, this short will start the questions rolling on your head and get you prepared for the many more to come. Orbs is a gripping and well written beginning to Nicholas’s early works that will get the reader familiar to his prose and get you hungry for more. Definitely do not stop with this one, as you will not be disappointed..
July 26, 2018
The space anomaly is just the begining! If they only knew!
This prequel, provides the back story for the initial destruction of the Midwest by what seemed to be a solar flare! However the point of origin was Mars, meaning this was something other than a CME!
Read the Orbs series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith to realize devestating destruction to follow!
This prequel, provides the back story for the initial destruction of the Midwest by what seemed to be a solar flare! However the point of origin was Mars, meaning this was something other than a CME!
Read the Orbs series by Nicholas Sansbury Smith to realize devestating destruction to follow!
October 13, 2018
Rushed work it seems
Filled some gaps from the orbs series but work seemed rushed and if one never read the orbs series this book had no character development. Hard to get involved with story. As a stand alone book i wouldn't continue if I started here. Unfortunately due to brevity of book and lack of depth i give this 2 stars.
Filled some gaps from the orbs series but work seemed rushed and if one never read the orbs series this book had no character development. Hard to get involved with story. As a stand alone book i wouldn't continue if I started here. Unfortunately due to brevity of book and lack of depth i give this 2 stars.
January 27, 2020
Solar Storms is a short prequel to the Orbs series! It doesn't matter if you listen to this before or after the series. It's great either way! Solar Storms is about the event that leads up to the Orbs series. Great short story and I can't believe I missed it! Better late than never I guess lol. Another great book by Nicholas Sansbury Smith and a fantastic narration by Bronson Pinchot!
September 10, 2020
This is not a book. It's really a short story, and a short one at that. I was curious enough after listening to the first three Orbs books to see what this prequel had to offer. I was disappointed. It was pretty minimal, really did nothing except sorta' kinda' explain how the world got into the mess it was in. I expected a lot more explanation.
March 19, 2018
Fabulous beginning to the Orbs series!
This short story is an amazing beginning to fantastic series!! If you have an interest in weather and all the craziness of can cause to life on Earth, this is a great place to start
This short story is an amazing beginning to fantastic series!! If you have an interest in weather and all the craziness of can cause to life on Earth, this is a great place to start
May 3, 2018
3.5+ A short prequel to the recommended book, Orbs. I’m waitlisted for that and was able to get this one to whet my appetite. The characters here could have been more subtly drawn, but it sets up (I assume) Orbs and does make me want to read more. Mission accomplished.
June 26, 2018
Going to avoid the sequel
Excruciating. Waste of time. Excessive explanations, terrible presentation of characters, repetitive, naive, boring, puerile. Struggled to finish. Relieved when it ended.
Excruciating. Waste of time. Excessive explanations, terrible presentation of characters, repetitive, naive, boring, puerile. Struggled to finish. Relieved when it ended.
July 5, 2018
I recommend reading this after the first orbs. I did and it made more sense. I loved
how it answered several questions I had about the storms and even brought a new
light to some of the main characters.
how it answered several questions I had about the storms and even brought a new
light to some of the main characters.
March 31, 2020
This is a prequel to the ORBS series. It introduces you to Sophie and Emanuel, two doctors who are called to help investigate why there are an increase in Sum Spots, and a coronal mass ejection happens changing the world for ever, but what was the cause?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews